September can’t come soon enough, as we’re eagerly anticipating the long-awaited inaugural Earl Scruggs Music Festival in Mill Spring, North Carolina, to be held September 2-4, 2022!
BGS is thrilled to be partnering with the festival to present a tribute to one of the most iconic Earl Scruggs Revue albums, Live at Kansas State. The host band, bluegrass quintet Fireside Collective, will lead an all-star outfit in a revival of the 1972 recording with special guests Jerry Douglas, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Balsam Range, Acoustic Syndicate, Bella White, and more to be announced – plus a slew of surprise cameos. This will all go down on Saturday afternoon (September 3) on the Foggy Mountain Stage. We can’t wait to join with these incredible artists to pay tribute to this landmark album!
In addition to the folks on this special tribute (who will be performing sets of their own throughout the weekend) the festival will feature the likes of the Earls of Leicester, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, BĂ©la Fleck’s My Bluegrass Heart, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, and so many more. Take a look at the full lineup below.
Purchase tickets and discover more about the Earl Scruggs Music Festival at earlscruggsmusicfestival.com
For its 50th annual event, RockyGrass Festival brought out many of the biggest names in bluegrass, as evidenced in the photo gallery below. Blessed with incredible scenery and good vibes, the three-day event took place in Lyons, Colorado, from July 29-31, 2022.
This year’s lineup included Yonder Mountain String Band, Punch Brothers, Darrell Scott Bluegrass Band, Becky Buller Band, Hawktail, Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley, The Wildmans, Sam Bush Bluegrass Band, Del McCoury Band, Steep Canyon Rangers, Kruger Brothers, Claire Lynch Band, Tray Wellington Band, Big Richard, Hot Rize, The Earls of Leicester featuring Jerry Douglas, Uncle Earl, Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, Uncommon Ritual, We Banjo 3, Jake Blount and Tatiana Hargreaves, The Old Gospel Ship featuring Greg Blake and KC Groves.
The Del McCoury Band
Photo by Benko Photographics
Punch Brothers with fiddler Brittany Haas
Photo by Benko Photographics
Darrell Scott (center) with Shad Cobb on fiddle and Bryn Davies on bass
Photo by Devon Weatherwax
Uncle Earl
Photo by Benko Photographics
Rob Ickes (right) & Trey Hensley
Photo by Benko Photographics
Tatiana Hargreaves and Jake Blount
Photo by Benko Photographics
The Earls of Leicester
Photo by Benko Photographics
Steep Canyon Rangers
Photo by Benko Photographics
Big Richard
Photo by Devon Weatherwax
Peter Rowan (right) with Chris Henry on mandolin and Max Wareham on banjo
Photo by Benko Photographics
Stephen “Mojo” Mougin and Sam Bush
Photo by Benko Photographics
Tray Wellington Band
Photo by Benko Photographics
The Kruger Brothers
Photo by Benko Photographics
We Banjo 3
Photo by Benko Photographics
Hot Rize is recognized for its 2021 induction into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame.
Photo by Benko Photographics, pictured with Hall of Fame board member Patty Calhoun and Executive Director Karen Radman.
The Wildmans
Photo by Benko Photographics
Yonder Mountain String Band
Photo by Benko Photographics
Hawktail
Photo by Benko Photographics
Becky Buller Band
Photo by Benko Photographics
The Old Gospel Ship featuring Greg Blake and KC Groves
Photo by Benko Photographics
Uncommon Ritual
Photo by Benko Photographics
Lead photo of Paul Kowert, Chris Thile, and Chris Eldridge (of Punch Brothers) by Devon Weatherwax.
When it comes to roots music, the MerleFest 2019 lineup is tough to beat. From bluegrass heroes to country legends, along with a number of perennial favorites like the Avett Brothers, this year’s four-day event promises to be one for the record books. Where to begin? Check out the BGS daily preview below.
Editor’s Note: MerleFest 2019 will take place April 25-28 in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The Bluegrass Situation is proud to present the Late Night Jam on Saturday, April 27. Get tickets.
THURSDAY, APRIL 25
Headliner: Wynonna
No one else on earth has a voice like Wynonna. Of course she got her start in the Judds, which brought an acoustic flavor back to mainstream country music in the 1980s. She’s also frequently cited Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard as among her earliest musical influences. You’ll surely hear the hits, yet a new record deal with Anti- means that more music is on the way.
Don’t miss: Junior Brown can wow a crowd with his “guit-steel” double neck guitar, not to mention wry tunes like “My Wife Thinks You’re Dead.” Dailey & Vincent know a thing or two about quick wit, with their fast-talking banter tying together a repertoire of bluegrass, country, and gospel. Accomplished songwriter Radney Foster issued a new album and a book – both titled For You to See the Stars – in 2017. North Carolina’s own bluegrass combo Chatham County Line kicks off the day, likely with a few familiar tunes from their new album, Sharing the Covers.
FRIDAY, APRIL 26
Headliner: Tyler Childers
With the album Purgatory, Tyler Childers captivated fans who demand authenticity from their favorite artists. The acclaimed project falls in that sweet spot where Americana, bluegrass and country music all merge gracefully. Yet the sonic textures of “Universal Sound” show that he’s not stuck in the past. In a crowded field of newcomers, Childers’ distinctive singing voice and incisive writing set him apart.
Don’t miss: If you’re into guys who write quality songs, then you’re in luck. Leading up to Childers’ set, fans can dig into the likes of Amos Lee, The Milk Carton Kids, The Black Lillies, American Aquarium, and Steve Poltz. If bluegrass is more your style, check out Mile Twelve and Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice in the early afternoon. Before that, make the most of your lunch break with country music from Michaela Anne and Elizabeth Cook. The Chris Austin Songwriting Competition is worth a stop, too.
SATURDAY, APRIL 27
Headliner: Brandi Carlile
Brandi Carlile catapulted into a new phase of her career by singing “The Joke” on the Grammys this year, not to mention winning three awards before the show. However, dedicated fans have followed her ascent since her auspicious 2005 debut album and its exceptional follow-up, The Story. She’s a master at engaging a crowd and a Saturday night headlining slot at MerleFest is yet another feather in her cap.
Don’t miss: Doc Watson himself would have approved of all the bluegrass artists on Saturday, such as Sam Bush Band, The Earls of Leicester, the Gibson Brothers, and Molly Tuttle. Keb’ Mo, Donna the Buffalo, and Webb Wilder converge upon Americana from different originas, yet they are united in their ability to electrify a crowd – even at a mostly acoustic festival. Folk fans should swing by The Brother Brothers, Carolina Blue, Driftwood, Ana Egge, Elephant Sessions, and The Waybacks. The Kruger Brothers always offer a pleasurable listening experience, too. Still not ready for the tent? Drop by the Late Night Jam, hosted by Chatham County Line and presented by yours truly, BGS. You won’t want to miss the set of special collaborations and true, on the spot, one of a kind jams with artists from all across the festival lineup.
SUNDAY, APRIL 28
Headliner: The Avett Brothers
The Avett Brothers elevate the MerleFest experience by bringing together a multitude of influences, from string bands to stadium rock. The charming track “Neopolitan Sky” dropped in February, employing a Tom Petty vibe and a surprisingly scaled-back production, as well as the sibling harmony that’s central to their sound. The North Carolina natives are proud fans of Doc Watson, so here’s hoping for “Shady Grove” to go along with fan faves like “Live and Die,” “Murder in the City,” and “I and Love and You.”
Don’t miss: The Del McCoury Band always brightens a Sunday afternoon with traditional bluegrass and any number of hollered requests. Steep Canyon Rangers will deliver a set inspired by the North Carolina songbook. After that, the ever-prolific Jim Lauderdale will take the stage with a set drawing from his country and bluegrass career. Early risers will be treated to morning music from Lindi Ortega, who hit a career high of creativity with her newest album, Liberty. Also of note: Jeff Little Trio, Andy May, Mark and Maggie O’Connor, Peter Rowan, Scythian, Larry Stephenson Band, Yarn, and all the good vibes that MerleFest has to offer.
Photo credit: Willa Stein
For bluegrass fans in Southern California, Huck Finn Jubilee has been a destination for more than 40 years. After a two-year hiatus, the long-celebrated family event returns to Ontario, California, on Oct. 5-7. This year’s lineup features headliners such as the Infamous Stringdusters, Yonder Mountain String Band, and The Lone Bellow, and BGS will be on site all weekend to present the BGS House Party jam after the main stage sets wrap up…
Leading up to next weekend, the festival’s new owners, Roger and Nikki Malinowski, chatted with The Bluegrass Situation.
Don’t miss our special video sessions highlighting some of the acts you’ll see on the lineup below!
Fans can discover music in so many ways now. What is it about a music festival that is special?
The wonderful thing about music festivals is that they’re shared experiences. They bring people together. Those moments when the audience sings together with the artist, and each other, or when you literally feel the music move you – times like those can’t be beat. Music festivals create communities where neighbors can meet, families reunite and spend time together, where we can get away from it all for just a little while.
What have you learned about the process of booking festivals that has really surprised you?
We’ve been surprised by the amount of love and support from the Huck Finn audience. The festival has a 40-year-plus history, yet it almost ceased to exist. I remember when we made the announcement on Facebook that Huck was back, the messages of gratitude were overwhelming. We’ve also found that putting on a festival of this size is a significant amount of work. The time, energy and effort behind pulling off an event of this size is enormous. The support and love from the bluegrass community and fans of Huck Finn continues to motivate us to create the best experience we possibly can.
When you are selecting artists, do you have a certain audience in mind? In other words, is there a common thread that runs through your lineup and/or your ticket holders?
Absolutely. We want to take our audience on a musical journey. It is important that we honor the traditions of bluegrass music while ensuring that we give space for the evolution of the music. Our hope is that our younger audience gets exposure to the roots of bluegrass and appreciates the amazing musicianship, harmonies and tradition of the genre. We also hope that the entire audience will enjoy how the music itself is progressing, exploring the unique textures and sounds of acoustic instrumentation in more modern takes on the style.
For someone who has never been to Ontario, California, and the area, how would you describe it to them?
Ontario is essentially a suburb of Los Angeles. It has all the amenities one might want in traveling to a new place: great places to eat, drink, shop and stay. It has a small airport and a great number of hotels in the area. The park where Huck Finn is held is a little oasis tucked away within the city. It is absolutely beautiful with two stocked lakes for fishing, a zero-depth splash play area, a sizable playground for kids, and plenty of quiet shaded areas to relax and unwind. There is ample parking, great spots for tent camping and expansive area for RVs. It’s easy to get to, yet far from the busyness of LA. Ontario provides all the conveniences for anyone looking to spend a single day or the whole weekend with us.
People get hungry! How did you choose the vendors for Huck Finn?
The word that has driven all of our decisions this year has been ‘balance.’ We want to accommodate for all tastes, simple and more refined. We wanted to provide the types of foods you might expect at a festival, but also provide some more elevated offerings as well.
What do you hope that attendees will take away from the Huck Finn experience?
We hope to forge connections, ultimately. Connections to the music and the artists performing. Connections to each other, and to their families, neighbors and friends. We hope that people come with an open mind, enjoy a great lineup of music that spans the bluegrass genre, and get to put the stresses and worries that they might have behind them. I hope that they smile at each other and meet new people during the show, eat great food, spend undistracted time with their loved ones and make it something that they will want to bring their friends and family to for years to come.
You can still purchase tickets to HUCK FINN JUBILEE here.
